Ibizan Hound

The Ibizan Hound is an old breed, with evidence in Egyptian tombs tracing Ibizans back to 3400 b.c. They are named after the island Ibiza, near Spain where they developed.

They were probably brought to the island by Phoenician sailors in the eighth or ninth century b.c. Here the breed survived despite hard living conditions. Ibizans were trained to become excellent rabbit hunters. This was not done for sport, but to provide food for the island people. Because food was scarce, the dogs were necessary to the survival of the people.

Ibizans are strong and healthy dogs. They are fast, and they can jump fences from a standing position. They are adaptable and affectionate family pets. Their coats are red, white, or some red-and-white combination. Ibizan hounds can have longer wiry coats and bushy moustaches.

Excerpts from the Standard

General Appearance: Strong and springy, with a deer-like appearance. Muscular, but not heavy.

Size, Proportion, and Substance: Height--males, 23 1/2 to 27 1/2 inches at the whithers; females, 22 1/2 to 26 inches. Weight--males, about 50 pounds; females, about 45 pounds.

Fun Facts

Guarding the entrance to the tomb of King Tutankhamen, wearing a heavy gold necklace, is a statue of a dog exactly like the Ibizan Hound of today. It is Anubis, Watchdog of the Dead. With his large, upright ears and long face, archeologists used to believe the statue was a jackal. But this animal was really the gentle and friendly Ibizan Hound ancestor. The statue dates from the late 1300s b.c.

Excerpted from The Complete Dog Book For Kids © 1996, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.